UAB Outlasts La Tech, Wins 28-7 in Ruston

After a weather delay, the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs and UAB Blazers got underway in what seemed early on to be a low-scoring slugfest.

First half turnovers led to touchdowns for both teams, and the game was 7-7 at the halftime break.

Neither team could convert a third down for a while, and it became apparent the defenses would decide this game.

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UAB’s defense held longer than Tech’s could. Tech’s only points of the game came from its first possession, which started on the UAB 32 after A.J. Erdely was picked off by James Jackson. Tech would hand the ball to Kam McKnight three times, and it got the Bulldogs into the end zone.

Early in the second, a fumble by J’Mar Smith was recovered by Fitzgerald Mofor for UAB. Five plays later, A.J. Erdely would complete his first pass of the game. Xavier Ubosi took it in for the tying score.

La Tech had a good drive going to start the first half, but it resulted in a missed field goal. Tech’s Justin Henderson would then fumble later in the half. Five plays later, Spencer Brown gave UAB the lead. Spencer Brown would score again later, followed by Erdely with his feet to seal the game away.

Neither quarterback played well in this game. Erdely and Smith would combine to go 17/47. Both threw interceptions, and Erdely had the only passing score. UAB well out-rushed Tech, however, amassing 229 yards to Tech’s 151.

The biggest difference was turnovers. A week ago, Tech defeated UNT in a game where UNT gave the ball away twice while Tech never did. In this game, Tech turned the ball over three times while UAB only lost the ball once.

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Beyond the turnovers, Tech’s defense just simply tired out. UAB’s did not. There’s your ball game.

This home loss is a huge blow to Louisiana Tech’s momentum after the big win against North Texas. After an emotional game like that, you have to refocus early in the week and show up ready to play. Tech’s offense couldn’t seem to do that.

As for UAB, they proved they can win on the road after the embarrassing loss at Coastal Carolina earlier in the season. After winning back-to-back conference games 28-7, they are 2-0 in conference play and are tied with UTSA for first place.

UAB is now in a good position to win the west, the same thing we were saying about Tech a week ago. The game between the Blazers and Mean Green in two weeks now becomes very interesting. If UAB wins, the west may be theirs. If UNT wins, the west will be wide open for anyone to take.

Next up for the Blazers is a road game at Rice, followed by the big showdown with North Texas in Birmingham. As for Louisiana Tech, the Bulldogs are on the road at UTSA next week, then return home to face UTEP.